Retaliation
Federal law prohibits employers from punishing applicants or employees for asserting their rights, such as complaining about discrimination or harassment, taking part in an investigation, or reporting safety hazards. Other laws protect other kinds of reports.
What can count as retaliation?
Firing, demotion, a bad review, a schedule cut or other actions that might discourage a reasonable person from complaining, when the action is because of the protected activity.
I reported a safety problem. Am I protected?
OSHA enforces whistleblower protections. OSHA's worker pages say that for many safety-related retaliation complaints, you should file within 30 days; other laws have different deadlines.
What should I keep?
Copies of what you reported, when and to whom, and any later job actions, with dates.
Official sources to check
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and differ by state and city. Last reviewed October 2026. How answers are made
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